Anil Kapoor: Arjun Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor were overweight because they didn’t take care of themselves earlier

The Welcome back actor, who turned a year older on December 24, shares some beauty tips with his fans and admirers and also his future plans

Anil Kapoor, who celebrated his birthday with his family in Dubai, turned 58 yesterday. The versatile actor is one of the most well maintained actors of Bollywood. We got in touch with him to know how he manages to look ageless and what his plans for the coming years are. Read excerpts from our interaction with the actor…

Anil, aapke khubsoorati ka kya raaz hai?

I don’t think I’ve done anything special to look the way I do. It’s just self-discipline. When I was younger, my co-stars would make fun of me for not having enough fun after shooting. But I don’t think it’s important to party till the wee hours to be happy in life. I was very happy shooting and spending time with my family, I still am. I guess that inner peace shows on my face. I never compromise on my work.

So you never let your hair down?

Of course, I set aside days when I just throw all caution to the wind, take a holiday, eat forbidden food — with my wife’s permission — just chill. But there have been times when during a party at home, I am suddenly found missing because I’ve an early-morning shoot.

You sound like a health freak?

I am not fanatical about my health. Somewhere, I also feel I am blessed because I come from healthy stock. My dad and my grandfather were not actors and yet, they looked after themselves and lived a full life.

But Boney and his son Arjun were overweight and so was Sonam…

That was because they (Arjun Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Boney Kapoor) didn’t look after themselves earlier. I always believe that one has to look one’s best if one is an actor because audiences pay money to watch one’s movies. But I was never into muscle-building. Only fitness. If you’re fit, you feel good about yourself. Also, it’s important to maintain a positivity in your mindset. Never get into a negative line of thinking. And you must always have something to look forward to, every morning. In my 35-year career, I’ve always had something to look forward to. Motivation is life, frustration is death.

Why so coy about your birthday?

Not coy. But I still cringe when I think of all those birthday parties on the sets where everyone would stand around singing. It was so embarrassing (laughs).

You were recently seen having a great time on Kapil Sharma’s show…

The reaction was terrific. I’d gone just to have fun. We also released the DVD of the 24 series and announced plans to adapt another American serial. I had no plans of announcing Modern Family on Kapil’s show. It was not a 100 per cent pucca then. But because of my long relationship with LA and 20th Century Fox, I could informally announce that I was doing Modern Family. The official announcement will happen soon.

Will you be acting in Modern Family?

To be honest with you, I haven’t given this a serious thought. Right now, my entire focus is on the second season of 24. I don’t know if I will be in it. But I’ll always be there for anyone who needs me on the sets.

You were absent from films in 2014?

That’s because I was shooting for my serial 24 in 2013. The films were on hold. 2014 is the year when I got down to shooting two films, Anees Bazmee’s Welcome Back and Zoya Akhtar’s Dil Dhadkne Do. So the fruits of my labour in 2014 will be apparent in 2015. You will see me in these two films. And in the second season of 24.

How’s season 2 coming along?

Around seven episodes have already been written.

Actor, producer, singer….When are you turning director?

To be honest, the thought does cross my mind. Maybe soon.

Your thoughts on the year?

2014 was hectic. 2015 will be one of the most exciting years of my life. I’ve great plans for 2016 and 2017. Yes, I’ve already planned many things for the next three years.